Bib having an internal pocket for storing items

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure is generally directed to bibs and more specifically to a bib having an internal pocket for storing items.

BACKGROUND

Feeding children and other people often requires the use of several items. For example, bibs are often used to keep infants or children and other people, along with their clothes, clean during feeding. As a particular example, a bib is typically placed around a child's neck and hangs in front of the child. Food that falls from utensils or the child's face often lands on the bib rather than on the child or the child's clothes. Feeding a child also often requires the use of one or more eating utensils, dishes, food and other related items. When transporting these items with a child, there exists a need for a bib that is able to carry such items within the bib itself, to reduce the number of individual items that may need to be packed and carried.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure provides a bib having an internal pocket for storing items.

In one embodiment, a bib includes an edge. The bib also includes an internal pocket. The pocket has an opening that extends along the edge of the bib.

In another embodiment, a bib includes a first section capable of at least partially facing a person wearing the bib and a second section capable of at least partially facing away from the person wearing the bib. The first and second sections of the bib are at least partially coupled to each other along a periphery of the first and second sections. The first and second sections form a pocket between the first and second sections. The bib also includes at least one fastener capable of allowing an opening to the pocket to form when unfastened and capable of closing the opening to the pocket when fastened. The at least one fastener is located along at least a portion of the periphery of the first and second sections.

One or more technical features may be present according to various embodiments of this disclosure. Particular embodiments of this disclosure may exhibit none, some, or all of the following features. For example, in one embodiment, a bib is provided that has at least one pocket. The pocket may be opened and closed so that items can be inserted in and removed from the pocket. In this way, items used to feed a child or other items can be stored in the bib, making storage and transport of the items more convenient.

Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a diagram illustrating a bib according to one embodiment of this disclosure;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is another diagram illustrating a bib according to one embodiment of this disclosure; and

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a diagram illustrating a cross-section of a bib according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a diagram illustrating a bib <b>100</b> according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the bib <b>100</b> is formed from two sections <b>102</b><i>a </i>and <b>102</b><i>b </i>(referred to as “sections <b>102</b>”). The sections <b>102</b> are formed of any suitable material or materials, including cloth, plastic or other materials. As a particular example, the sections <b>102</b> could be formed from a machine washable material. The section <b>102</b><i>a </i>may at least partially face away from an infant, a child or other person (referred hereinafter as “person”) wearing the bib <b>100</b>, while the section <b>102</b><i>b </i>may at least partially face the person wearing the bib <b>100</b>. In the illustrated example, the sections <b>102</b> are coupled to each other at the periphery or edge <b>103</b> of the bib <b>100</b>. The sections <b>102</b> may be connected to each other in any suitable manner, such as by stitching <b>104</b> or other connecting mechanism(s). The sections <b>102</b> may represent different portions of a single piece of material or separate pieces of material. Further, each individual section <b>102</b> could be formed from a single piece of material or multiple pieces.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bib <b>100</b> includes a pocket <b>106</b>. The pocket <b>106</b> facilitates storage of items, such as eating utensils, dishes, food, or other items, in the bib <b>100</b>. The pocket <b>106</b> is accessible through an opening <b>108</b>. The opening <b>108</b> allows a person to insert and remove items from the pocket <b>106</b>. In one embodiment, the opening <b>108</b> of the pocket <b>106</b> extends along at least part of the edge <b>103</b> of the bib <b>100</b>. The opening <b>108</b> is opened and closed utilizing one or more fasteners <b>110</b>. The fasteners <b>110</b> are connected to each other, which function to close the opening <b>108</b> of the pocket <b>106</b> and prevent items from falling out of the pocket <b>106</b>. The fasteners <b>110</b> can also be disconnected, which function to open the opening <b>108</b> of the pocket <b>106</b> and allow items to be placed in and removed from the pocket <b>106</b>. Fasteners <b>110</b> may be formed from Velcro, button(s), snap(s), zipper(s) or any other suitable materials or structures which provide an opening/closing function for a pocket or enclosure. In the exemplary embodiment, the pocket <b>106</b> is illustrated internally to the bib <b>100</b>.

In a particular embodiment, the pocket <b>106</b> may include the entire area between the sections <b>102</b> of the bib <b>100</b>. In another particular embodiment, the pocket <b>106</b> represents the area between portions of the sections <b>102</b>. For example, in the illustrated example, the pocket <b>106</b> is formed between the bottom portion of each section <b>102</b>, and a top <b>112</b> of the pocket <b>106</b> is positioned approximately in the middle of the bib <b>100</b>. In a particular example, the top <b>112</b> is defined by a stitch across the middle of the bib <b>100</b>. The stitch across the middle of the bib <b>100</b> may be optional. The top <b>112</b> of the pocket <b>106</b> could also be located at any suitable position in the bib <b>100</b> and defined by any other technique without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As will be appreciated, in another embodiment, a liner (not shown) may be positioned within the pocket <b>106</b>.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the bib <b>100</b> includes an opening <b>114</b>, which allows the bib <b>100</b> to be placed around the neck of the person using the bib <b>100</b>. The opening <b>114</b> of the bib <b>100</b> is formed by two extensions <b>116</b><i>a </i>and <b>116</b><i>b </i>(referred to as “extensions <b>116</b>”) that extend from opposite sides of the bib <b>100</b> and join to form the opening <b>114</b>.

In one embodiment, the extensions <b>116</b> are connected and disconnected to facilitate placement of the bib <b>100</b> around the neck of the person wearing the bib <b>100</b>. In the illustrated example, extensions <b>116</b> include connectors <b>118</b><i>a </i>and <b>118</b><i>b </i>(referred to as “connectors <b>118</b>”). Connectors <b>118</b> may be formed from Velcro, buttons, snaps, or any other suitable connectors or connecting mechanism. While <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates two separate extensions <b>116</b> that are connected by connectors <b>118</b>, extensions <b>116</b> may be permanently connected or replaced by a single, undivided segment that loops from one side of the bib <b>100</b> to the other side of the bib <b>100</b>.

Although <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates one example embodiment of a bib <b>100</b>, various changes may be made to bib <b>100</b>. For example, the shape and proportions of the bib <b>100</b> are for illustrative purposes only, and other suitable shapes and proportions may be used. Also, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows the opening <b>108</b> of the pocket <b>106</b> as spanning a portion, and in a preferred embodiment about one-half, of the bottom edge of the bib <b>100</b>. It will be understood that the opening <b>108</b> may span any other portion of any edge of the bib <b>100</b>, including the entire length of the bottom edge, or a portion of the side edges (or top edge) of the bib <b>100</b>. Further, while <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates one fastener <b>110</b> connected to each section <b>102</b> of the bib <b>100</b>, a single fastener <b>110</b> could be used in the bib <b>100</b>. In addition, multiple pockets <b>106</b> can be formed in the bib <b>100</b>, and the pockets <b>106</b> can have any suitable arrangement in the bib <b>100</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a diagram showing the bib <b>100</b> in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In particular, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates the bib <b>100</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> after one or more items have been inserted into the pocket <b>106</b> of the bib <b>100</b>.

In the illustrated example, the fastener <b>110</b> of the bib <b>100</b> has been connected, thereby closing the opening <b>108</b> of the pocket <b>106</b>. Also, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, two items <b>120</b><i>a </i>and <b>120</b><i>b </i>(referred to as “items <b>120</b>”) have been placed in the pocket <b>106</b> of the bib <b>100</b>. The items <b>120</b> could represent any suitable items, such as utensils, food, dishes, glasses, napkins, towels or any other items. The items <b>120</b> may, but need not, represent items associated with feeding a child or other person wearing the bib <b>100</b>.

To facilitate transport of the bib <b>100</b>, the connectors <b>118</b> of extensions <b>116</b> can be connected. The connected extensions <b>116</b> can then be used as a handle to carry the bib <b>100</b>. In this way, both the bib <b>100</b> and the utensils and other items <b>120</b> can be easily transported.

Although <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates two items <b>120</b> stored in the pocket <b>106</b> of the bib <b>100</b>, any suitable number of items <b>120</b> can be stored in the pocket <b>106</b>. Also, while the two items <b>120</b> illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> are utensils, any other or additional types of items <b>120</b> can be stored in the pocket <b>106</b> of the bib <b>100</b>.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a diagram illustrating a cross-section of the bib <b>100</b>. In particular, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates the cross-section of the bib <b>100</b> along line <b>3</b>-<b>3</b> illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the two sections <b>102</b> of the bib <b>100</b> form a pocket <b>106</b> between the sections <b>102</b>. Also, each section <b>102</b> of the bib <b>100</b> is connected to a fastener <b>110</b>. The fasteners <b>110</b> can be disconnected and connected, which opens and closes an opening <b>108</b> of the pocket <b>106</b>. In this way, items can be inserted and removed from the pocket <b>106</b> of the bib <b>100</b>.

While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.